Gingrich: Iowa Saved My Campaign

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich credits Iowa for saving his presidential campaign less than two weeks after kicking it off. What he has learned in the state, which has the first 2012 GOP presidential nominating caucus, will guide the rest of his campaign, he told the Des Moines Register.

“You do no negative campaigning about Republicans,” Gingrich told the newspaper. “You don’t worry about the Republicans. You focus on America’s future, what it means to Iowa and why [President Barack] Obama can’t get there.”

Many Republican criticized Gingrich after he made negative remarks about a budget proposal championed by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis. Still, he said he won’t hold back when asked about events or as new developments come up.

“I am not the kind of guy who is going to go back and say, ‘Let me see what my consultant thinks I should memorize,’ ” he said.

Gingrich has attracted large crowds in Iowa.

“What saved my campaign was being in Iowa. Literally,” Gingrich said. “You’ve seen all these people on TV saying, ‘Oh, Gingrich is over. Gingrich is toast.’ ”

Tim Hagle, an associate political science professor at the University of Iowa, said the crowds may boost Gingrich, but much remains uncertain about his campaign.

“He got a lot of negative attention nationally from some very prominent folks who basically declared his campaign to be over,” Hagle said. “On the other hand, he’s been getting very good turnout at various events. And, despite the one fellow in Dubuque, generally the events have been pretty well-received.”